For the Children

Danielslundur in Borgarfjord is a Forest, open to everyone. Parkings just out of road one. Ideal to stop and enjoy nature, have picnic or just walk around on the paths. Table, benches and grill are there to use. 

Helgafell – A Sacred Mountain Through the Ages  Climb Helgafell in silence – where folklore, faith and a breathtaking view come together in a moment that stays with you.  Just south of Stykkishólmur rises Helgafell – a low hill in height, but towering in the story of a nation. Though it stands only 73 metres tall, the mountain dominates the landscape around it, alone and distinct. Since the earliest days of settlement, Helgafell has been deeply intertwined with the spiritual life of Icelanders, and remains to this day one of the most sacred natural landmarks in West Iceland. The settler Þórólfur Mostrarskegg claimed this land and named it Þórsnes. According to the Sagas, he dedicated the mountain to his god Þór (Thor) in the Old Norse tradition. At the base of the mountain, he built a temple to Þór, and here was also held the regional assembly of the Westfjords – known as Þórsnesþing. This ancient connection still lives on in the cultural spirit of the area – for instance, in the coat of arms of the town of Stykkishólmur, where Mjölnir, the hammer of Thor, serves as a symbol of protection and identity.  Helgafell is also linked to one of the strongest female figures in the Icelandic Sagas: Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir from Laxdæla saga. She lived at Helgafell in her later years, and legend has it that she is buried there.  Following the Christianization of Iceland, a monastery was founded at Helgafell – a centre of learning and literature, where many books were written. Today there is a church on the site, which also served as a rectory for centuries. Helgafell has thus remained a symbol of faith and continuity – from pagan roots to Christian heritage – across Icelandic history.  A local folk belief says that if you climb the mountain in silence, without speaking or looking back, you may make three wishes at the top – so long as they are made with a pure heart and kept secret.  Today, a marked walking path leads from a small car park at the base to the summit. At the top, a viewing dial offers wide-ranging views: over Helgafellssveit, Þórsnes, Breiðafjörður Bay, the Snæfellsnes mountain range, and the distant highlands of the southern Westfjords and Dalir region. The walk is short, but the experience and views are powerful and captivating. Respect the sacredness of the site. Walk gently, speak no word – and wish with your heart.    

Snæfellsjökull National Park is located at the edge of Snæfellsnes in the West part of the country. It is about 18km2 and the first national park to stretch from the top of the mountain and all the way down to the ocean. The Park is open all year long. There is a Visitor center at Malarrif and National Park Center at Hellissandur . See a map of the area in 3-D. Snaefellsjokull National Park 

A goblet-shaped rock and popular resting place for tourists. Close to Hvammsvik on the old national road around Whale Fjord. An elf by the name of Staupa-Steinn has his home in this rock. Not everyone can see him. He is described as having long hair, a beard and being a kind, gentle man who loves to play ball with children who are picnicking in the area. Beautiful view. Protected since 1974.

Gudrun Osvifursdottir, heroine of Laxdaela Saga, was born (973AD) and brought up at Laugar. It is said that she used the hot water pool there a lot and also met there her followers Kjartan and Bolli. There is a geothermal area at Laugar and a naturally-heated swimming pool was built there in 1932. The hot water is also used for heating up the buildings at the place. Now there is a 25 meter outdoor swimming pool, with hot tubs, sauna and more.  At about 3 km from Laugar you may find the rocky hill Tungustapi, home of elves.

Skorradalur is the southernmost valley in Borgarfjörður. The Skorradalur lake fills up most of the valley but the lowlands in the west are wide moorlands. There is very little traditional farming practiced today but summerhouses are becoming increasingly common and forests are growing from year to year. The Hvanneyri parish is situated at Fitjar which is deep in the valley. Forestry at Stálpastaðir is in the northern part of the valley where there are beutiful hiking trails. The camping site at Selsskógur is surrounded by lush vegetation, creating good shelter on the banks of the Skorradalur lake. 

Einkunnir is a 270 ha country park, protected for recreational use and the preservation of the typical landscape of the area. The areas’ main characteristics are its rocky islands or bluffs that rise from the areas’ vast flat wetlands. Please follow the marked trails whenever possible.  Do not drive off-road, damage geological formations or vegetation.  Do not disturb the wildlife or light fires in vegetated areas. Please take your litter with you when you leave.

Eiríksstaðir is one of most historic sites of Iceland. Step back to the Viking Era and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and scents of Eriks the Red's farm which is also the birthplace of Leif the Lucky who is said to have discovered America. Modern day vikings demonstrate the lifestyle of 1000 years ago, sharing their crafts and knowledge.

Arnarstapi was an important trading post in the past and had a much bigger population than it has now. Columnar basalt, ravines and grottoes surround the Arnarstapi pier. There is good anchorage for small boats. There is quite a large arctic tern colony in the village itself. A walk along the coastline is recommended to watch the birds and the magnificent lava formations. The seaside and the cliffs between Arnarstapi and Hellnar have been made a Natural Reserve in 1979. A very interesting old path follows the coastline where you can see old lending places of fishermen, lots of birds like the kittiwake, the Arctic tern and the fulmar and pass through a lavafield. If you take a guided tour, you will also hear a ghost story. A sculpture of Bardur Snaefellsas by Ragnar Kjartansson stands by the beach at Arnarstapi.

In the heart of Borgarnes is Skallagrímsgarður, a small public park which is ideal for a picnic. The park plays an important role in Egil's Saga, as the burial mound of Skallagrímur Kveldúlfsson, Egil's father, is situated there. It is a good idea to relax in Skallagrímsgarður after a visit to Borgarnes swimming pool which is next to the park.

Bjossarolo is a playground for children in Borgarnes, not far from Edduveröld or the Settlement Centre. It was constructed by Bjorn Gudmundsson, a man who was ahead of his time and thought about recycling. He used exclusively things that had been thrown away to build up this special place. At the playground there are for example swings, slides, an old boat, a castle and a lot more in a hollow enclosed by rocks not far from the sea. And on going there you could look for shells or nice stones on the beach. The small, but very pretty park Skallagrimsgardur is not far away. There you can even find the grave of a saga hero!

Botnsdalur is a picturesque valley in Hvalfjörður, known for its dramatic mountains, lush landscapes, and outdoor attractions. It is the starting point for the hike to Glymur Waterfall, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall, and home to the serene glacial lake Hvalvatn. The valley offers excellent hiking opportunities, including trails to the iconic Botnssúlur peaks. Steeped in history, the area features Icelandic sagas and played a role during WWII as a naval base. Botnsdalur is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

In Iceland you can find over 130 words for wind. The artist, Sólrún Halldórsdóttir, has chosen 112 words out of those 130 to include in this environmental sculpture. By choosing 112 words she is referring to the ermergency number in Iceland, 112.  Livelihood and survival of many Icelanders, especially of commercial fishermen, to this day depends on the weather, and hardly a day goes by without the weather forecast being addressed and discussed. The words are placed in escalating order, from the calmest to the strongest wind we have ever heard of. The artist uses the same color code as the Bureau of Meteorology, but shades have been added to represent each word. To decide the order of the words she interviewed elderly people around Iceland and asked about their feeling and understanding of each word.  Sólrún Halldórsdóttir (1964) was born and raised in Grundarfjörður, the second youngest of eight siblings. Her parents are Halldór Finnsson (1924) and Pálína Gísladóttir (1929). Her mother owned a bookstore in Grundarfjörður and taught Sólrún, at an early age, the love for the language.  The sculpture is 18 meters long and 60 centimeters wide, made of stone, steel and hardwood. 

The coastline around Akranes is rich with bird life and there are many different types of beaches along the coast. One of these is Langisandur, a sandy beach and one of the most popular outdoor areas of Akranes. Langisandur is one of three Blue Flag beaches in Iceland. Guests are welcome to join the local Sea Swimming Club at Langisandur Beach three times a week. More information at the Akranes Tourist Information Office, e-mail info@akranes.is, tel: +354 894 2500.

For centuries, Hellnar was among the largest fishing villages beneath the Snaefellsjokull ice cap. Valasnos, a freestanding rock, extends east of the bay. One of Iceland's most peculiar caves, Badstofa, is there. It is known for its special light exposure and colourful interior. A cold water spring is to be found at the lava's edge. It is dedicated to the Holy Virgin because it is said she appeared there once. The Hellnar church was built in 1945 on a picturesque site where a church was first raised in 1833. Located at Hellnar is a Hotel and a charming little café.

Troll walk in Fossatun in Borgarfjord among trolls is a splendid idea for parents with children. Live the stories that were made there by walking in the environment. 

Garðarlundur country park, protected for recreational use and the preservation of the typical landscape of the area. The areas’ main characteristics are its rocky islands or bluffs that rise from the areas’ vast flat wetlands.

Budir is a popular destination. The landscape consists of golden sand beaches, rugged lava field and great vegetation and bird life. Budahraun lava is a nature reserve. The little black church, Budakirkja, is located at Budir. People come from all around the world to seal their love at the church. Visitors also have an impressive view of the breathtaking Snaefellsjokull glacier from Budir.

In Húsafell surrounding nature you can expect to find dense woodlands, waterfalls, glaciers, rugged lava, crystal springs, wildflowers plus remarkable archaeological remains.Here is a good map with ten hike trails.

Beautifully kept old houses in cheerful colours line the dusty path through the settlement of Flatey island. Walk through it, and at the end of the settlement, the path becomes even narrower and more crooked, taking you through a dense population of birds, consisting mainly of Arctic terns. Two families stay on the island throughout the winter, but many more migrate during the summer, mainly for leisure but also to serve tourists. In a charming way, it feels very much like a movie set. And so it is. Many movies are set on the island, most notably The Honour of the House based on a short story by Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness, and White Night Wedding, a movie by Baltasar Kormákur. In fact, Baltasar’s father painted the unusual altar piece in the island’s church, making it worthy of a visit. In summertime, a ferry goes to Flatey twice a day from Stykkishólmur and Brjánslækur, and, albeit less frequently, a passenger boat offers connection to Reykhólar.

Hredavatn is a lake in West Iceland. It is located near route 1, between Borgarnes and Holtavorduheidi. Nearby is the university faculty of Bifrost and the Grábrók crater.  The lake has an area of 1,14 km

Stálpastaðir in Skorradalur, the farm is abandoned but there are many birch–bushes. Haukur Thors gave the land to the Forestry Service in 1951, since when it has been protected and used for the rather successful cultivation of evergreens.

In the sports stadium, you will find both an outside and an inside swimming pool, hot tubs, a steam bath which is fed with steam straight from the Deildartunguhver hot spring, a children’s pool and water slides. All in all, an excellent health spa.